Another Advances

Ryan Graves (Val-d'Or Foreurs)

Just one game on Sunday as Ryan Graves (NYR 2013 4th) and his Val-d'Or Foreurs are heading to the QMJHL semifinals after eliminating the Drummondville Voltigeurs in 6 games with a 3-2 win in game 6. The Foreurs are going to play the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL semifinals once the remaining QMJHL series finish up most likely a Thursday/Friday start in Halifax.

Graves did not score as he was a +1 on 1 shot but the stats that matter the most in looking at defensemen as PIMs and Hits as Graves who plays a physical brand of hockey had 3 hits and no PIMS. Graves has been solid on the defensive end which is why Val-d'Or made the trade for him at mid-season.

I keep hearing how the Ranger prospect pool sucks and yet I am watching a kid who has NHL size 6'4 225 at age 18 and he has been a huge part of the reason the Foreurs jumped from the middle of the QMJHL pack to the final 4 in the playoffs. Yes of course Graves still needs development work but again remember he doesn't turn 19 until the end of next month.

In the meantime Graves is playing Top 2 minutes for the Foreurs.

Graves joins fellow defensive prospect Troy Donnay (NYR 2013 UFA) in advancing to their league's final four. Oh and let us not forget Brady Skjei (NYR 2012 1st) who yes had a bad game in the NCAA finals but he remains a solid bet to be a Top 4 NHL defenseman in a couple of years.

People please the next time an "expert" wants to tell you how the Ranger prospect pool sucks ask the person who is writing the article if they make the effort to watch the prospects play. In today's world it isn't hard as you can watch any CHL game on the web and these days the same can be said for the NCAAs thanks to the expanded coverage of college hockey.

Stats don't always tell the whole story remember that.